We love the compact sleek lines of Latissima+, the latest coffee machine from Nespresso, and the fact it comes in a range of stylish colours such as Ice Silver, Silky White, Passion Red and Midnight Blue. But here at Viva we don't just take things at face value, we also love that this machine has a very clever, simple-to-use "one-touch milk solution" which delivers consistently good coffees. It's the perfect accessory for your kitchen. $699 at Noel Leeming and Harvey Norman stores from next Monday and from the new Nespresso boutique, which opens in Newmarket on September 1.

Appreciate the classics

Viaduct restaurant Kermadec is celebrating winter with a delicious Winter Classic menu - a four course tasting menu with matching New Zealand wines, and a live pianist adding to the cosy atmosphere with classical music. The classic menu features butter poached Crystal Bay prawns, a tender, slow roasted shoulder of lamb for two and Vacherin dessert of meringue, lemon curd, vanilla ice cream and strawberry sorbet. The four-course degustation menu is $85, with matching Church Road wines for $125. Each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday until the end of the month. To book, phone (09) 304 0454.

Keeping good company

The esteemed Scoffier Magazine, Cahier Food & Gastronomy has just announced that talented Michael Meredith (of Merediths) is the latest chef to be added to their Electrons Libres, a select group of emerging chefs from around the world, who are recognised as being the great thinkers/creators of cuisine at this time. They are celebrated for their philosophy and culinary passion and expertise that brings the world of "gastronomy" to another level. Meredith is honoured for creating a cuisine that is "simple, fresh, pure, where an ingredient or a detail may be very important in the final result".